Revolution counter



Dec. 26, 1922. 1,440,034.. 0. STOECKLIN.

REVOLUTION COUNTER FILED NOV.1|l921.

Patented Dec. 26, 1922.

UNITED STATES CHARLES STOECKLIN, F MONTBELIARD, FRANCE.

REVOLUTION COUNTER.

Application filed November 1, 1921.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. (limnnns SroncKLiN, citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, residing at Montbeliard, Doubs, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Revolution Counters. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to revolution counters, and more particularly to counters embodying a plurality of separate counting mechanisms adapted to be selectively connected with the shaft or other device or element, the number of revolutions of which is to be counted.

The invention resides primarily in the provision of improved means, hereinafter fully described, whereby any selected counting mechanism may be thrown into operation to the exclusion of the remaining counting mechanism or mechanisms, or of certain of them if more than two such mechanisrns are utilized; the coupling or c0nnecting action being effected at will with equal facility whether the counter is run- 25 ning or is stationary, and without requiring stoppage, or interfering with the counting operation.

According to the invention, the sets of number wheels constituting the counting mechanisms are disposed within a case which is equipped with a suitable dial and in which there is journalled a main shaft adapted to be connected in some desired way with the rotating or revolving work member, so that the revolving movement of the latter will be transmitted to said shaft. A reducing gear train leads from this shaft to a transmission shaft whence the drive branches to each set of counting wheels, so that there is, in effect, a driving connection between the main shaft and each counting wheel set; such drive preferably embodying a relatively wide gear or pinion fixed to the transmission shaft. and a sliding gear as sociated with and individual to each counting wheel set and located adjacent the first wheel thereof. all of the sliding gears constantly meshing with the wide fixed gear to be rotated thereby.

A clutch is interposed between each sliding gear and the adjacent counting or number wheel; and a device is provided which is operable at will from the exterior of the case and which engages all of the sliding gears, the arrangement being such that, in

Serial No. 512,121.

the event of two counting mechanisms only being employed, either of them may be coupled with the drive shaft and the other one simultaneously uncoupled, due to the move- Referring more particularlyto the draw ing. a indicates a case whi h contains the various parts comprised in the counter, and in the side wall of which the main shaft 1) is journalled. This shaft projects exteriorly of the case at one end and is provided at such point with a sprocket wheel 0, or other suitable device. for connecting it with the shaft or the like (not shown), the revolutions of which are to be counted. A pinion (Z is mounted. on shaft 5 within the case, and. is in driving engagement with a gear 6 comprised in a reducing gear train leading to a shaft f, to which latter the rotation of shaft 7) is thereby transmitted.

Counting is effected, as stated above. by means of a plurality of separate mechanisms or devices, each comprising a set of numeral wheels having transfer devices of some appropriate character between them to produce the carry-overs. Each set is loosely mounted on its respective shaft; and it is the purpose of the invention to selectively connect one set at a time with the shaft f to be driven therefrom. the other set or sets being left inactive. In the construction illustrated, two sets the wheels of which are designated k and 7c, are employed; but it will be understood that such number may be increased, if desired, as has already been stated.

The first wheel of each set is preferably provided with a suitable clutch member which is engageable by a complemental clutch member h or i, slidably mounted on the respective counting or numeral wheel shaft. Both clutch members it and i are provided with peripheral gear teeth which constantly mesh with a comparatively wide gear or pinion g, fixed to shaft to rotate clutc w. i,

therewith: and both are also engaged by a.

wiring p which tends to li'ee 'i coupled to the clutch iHQl'lil MTS on the nd icent numeral wheels 7c and n. tov dencv of th spring; is colinterzurted, however. by menus of" dev ce which erll'lli'Fl only one clutch to he closed at :i time; such device icing here shown as: comprising a rotatable coin plate oi. dish on of sinuous profile which is nmrginnlly engaged in a cii'cuni'l'ei'ent-iol proove Z termed in the hub of each of the i. ling; clutch members /1 and '21. (em m is lined to the inner end (it a short shaft which is ionrnnlled in a bearing opening}; in the side well of the case and projects outwardly beyond the some to en able it to be operated at will by means of it lever 0. or other suitable device. which is fastened to itjthe shene of the coin being such. thetwhen. turned it will sh both clutch members end sinnilti .i'aeonslv, one toward and the other from. the co) "elemento], clutch membeis that one clutcl'i will be closed and "he other opened. lVhere more then two sets of counting; wheels end hence, more than two clutches are employed, the controlling; cam will be shaped to effect the clutching inoveinent of one sliding); clutch member only. the other c ntcl'a memhers being unclntohed. Upemtion ot the coin may be e iected v desired time, either when the machine in in THU? 1 or When it is stationery s. will be apparent l cl n as my invention:

l in revolution counter. o. d .ive shaft; :1- plur v of com in; wheels; a driven sh (.07111- a. drivin connection l i the Chi on shaft and each set of counti wheels and set and he inhei con'znlcta to t select no; dev.v more: U ml; solelv one selected poor at :1. tinve t en the connilemeutnl lived clutch iueoll'ie 2%, l revolution counter. conuirisin53,- n. drive shut't; plurality of sets of countinq whcels; a driven shaft; driving connection between the drive and dri en shafts; e driving connection between the driven shett and each set of counting Wheels and includii e o1 the drl ivegn-nde selecting shaft l tv ot sets of coun r in Wheels; :1 driven shalt; :1 driving; connection between the drive and driven shafts; a. driving con-- nection bemveen the driven shett and each set of counting" wheel in d including clutch to control the drive; and a rota selecting within the e ejed with all ot the clutch lnitopercble to cloce only one selected clutch fit time. i

6. fl i'einolution counter. comprising drive shaft; :1. nluinlitvot sets cite/con; wheele; u driven shntt; drivi connect between the drive sl'iatt and the driven slmtt; a clutch l'ueinher fixed to the fiiist wheel oteech set: :1, movable clutch meniher LfOOlM-Ti'f; I with ench tixeijl clutch men. lies' to ei'iyngge the some; means opernte il by the driven sne'tt for rot; ing oil of il'1E.,l'!.l.OV- hers; :uid :{selectingg device he movable clutch incinhere in onposite directions with relntion to correspo liliQtl. clutch n'ieinhers. to couple one and one e the other.

'6". A revolution counter, comprising ali e ft; a. driven shaft; a driving connecti between. the two shafts; two coordiinite sets of" counting wheels; :1 driving commotion between the driven shnit't and.

each set o'l counting; wlieele. each driving c nnection includi e clutch embodying a clutch member listed to the first wheel of the set and movable clutch member for cooperation therewith and having a grooved hub; and rotatable coin engaged with the grooved hubs of both movable clutch inemhers tor sin'iultnueouslv eiigrnp'inn' one of them with. and d ve no? the other one the corres 'ion i i l tch incanbeir essoci i n driving gent individual to each end provided with u. clutchmember cooperative with the adjacent fixed clutch We] yer; gen ing; connecting the drive shaft with all of the sets oil counting Wheels and including a. gem. with which all ot the clutch gears constantly mesh and means operable to inove a single selected clutch gear,- to the. exclusion he remai 1 7 en. or ene el z'a se ectineg' tively to the iorrespon ding fixed clutch. men her to couple the two together.

9. A revolution counter, comprising a drive shaft: a plurality of sets of counting wheels, the first wheel of each set having a fixed clutch ]'ll0llll)8l associated with it; a driving gear individual to each set and. provided with a clutch member cooperative with the adjacent fixed clutch member; gearing connecting the drive shaft with all of the sets of counting wheels and including a gear with which all of the clutch gears constantly mesh; and a cam operable at will to move a single selected. clutch gear. to the exclusion of the remaining clutch gear or gears, relatively to the corresponding fixed clutch member to couple the two together.

10. A revolution counter, comprising a drive shaft; a plurality of sets of counting wheels, the first wheel of each set having a fixed clutch member associated with it; a driving gear individual to each set and provided with a clutch member cooperative with the adjacent fixed clutch member; gearing connecting the drive shaft with all of the sets of (hunting wheels and including a gear with which all of the clutch gears constantly mesh; and selecting means oper able at will to move a single selected clutch gear into engagement with, and another rlntch gear out of engagement with, the oorresponding fixed clutch members.

.1 1.. A revolution counter, comprising a drive shaft; a plurality of sets of counting wheels, the first wheel of each set having a fixed clutch member associated with it; a driving gear individual to each set and provided with a clutch member cooperative with the adjacent fixed clutch member; gearing connecting the drive sha'tt with all of the sets or counting wheels and including a gear with which all of the clutch gears constantly mesh; and. a cam engaged with two clutch gears for simultaneously engag ing one of them with and disengaging the other one from, the corresponding fixed clutch members.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture.

CHARLES STOECKLIN. 

